just in

Hamilton retakes lead with victory in Germany

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in action during the German Grand Prix on Sunday
Reuters

Lewis Hamilton, the reigning world champion, took the chequered flag for a record-equalling fourth German Grand Prix win

Lewis Hamilton raced from 14th to first to seize a "miracle" German Grand Prix victory in a Mercedes one-two on Sunday and retake the Formula One championship lead from Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, who crashed.

Vettel, now 17 points behind the Briton after starting eight ahead, led his home race from pole position until rain caused chaos in the closing laps, with the German sliding off and into the barriers.

"The difference between the best and the very good is that on the very difficult days they are able to make the difference."

Lewis Hamilton's performance at the #GermanGP went some way to showing why Mercedes gave him such a lucrative contract.

"Today I feel like I drove the best that I can remember driving. I didn't make any mistakes."

It was the 66th win of his F1 career, and Mercedes' 80th, and minutes after the finish, the skies opened with an array of thunder and lightning and a torrential downpour that would have stopped any race.

"Miracles do happen, mate," Hamilton's race engineer Pete Bonnington told him over the radio after a slow-burner that turned into one of the great comebacks of the Briton's already stellar career.

Hamilton, who threw himself across the pitlane wall into the arms of his mechanics and also got a bear-hug from delighted Mercedes-Benz boss Dieter Zetsche, seemed about as stunned as anyone.

I wish I could describe this feeling right now... What a day, true proof that you should never give up!! The team did such a great job as they always do, I can’t thank them enough! I kept the belief and it came true. A big, big thanks to God 🙌🏾 #Godisthegreatest@MercedesAMGF1pic.twitter.com/5j3VBNFpJA

"I really feel that the rain has come down and just washed away any negativity and its a glorious day," Hamilton said, his voice wobbling. "It couldn't have been a better day for me and one that I will always remember."

Beaten by Vettel in his home British Grand Prix at Silverstone two weeks ago, where he went from pole to the back of the field and up to second, he had turned the tables completely.

It's been a "most emotional, unbelievable day" for Lewis Hamilton but he was victorious in the German Grand Prix.

Hamilton, who was already up to fifth after 14 laps, had made his first set of soft tyres last for 42 laps but pitted before the rain came and went to ultrasofts.

He still had to defend from an attacking Bottas, with the two going wheel to wheel when the safety car came in before they received orders to hold position. It was the Finn's fifth second place in 11 races.